Chandigarh: The Punjab government here on Thursday promulgated (publised) an order to repeal the Khalsa University Act, 2016, with a view to protecting the heritage character of Khalsa College, Amritsar.

The promulgation orders were issued here by Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore under clause (1) of article 213 of the Constitution of lndia, thereby implementing a decision taken in April by the state cabinet and also the Chief Minister’s promise to protect the glorious legacy of the 125-year-old Khalsa College.

Khalsa College, Amritsar.

Higher Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary said the Khalsa College, Amritsar had, over a period of time, become a significant icon of Khalsa Heritage and the University established in 2016 is likely to shadow and damage its character and pristine glory. Therefore, the Act is proposed to be withdrawn, she said in a Statement of Objects & Reasons.

The Ordinance provides that admission to the affected students shall be given in other appropriate educational institutions of the State of Punjab as per their eligibility, so that the interests of the students are not prejudicially affected.

The state cabinet, during its April meeting, had also decided to ensure that the students are accommodated in some other college at par, after taking their choice into consideration, to ensure that the future of the 300 students already admitted in the University is not jeopardized.

The Ordinance, called the Khalsa University (Repeal) Ordinance, 2017, will come into force on and with effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.